SOOT IN THE FLUES

Anna Mae

| May/June 1960

I could begin by elaborating on the beauties of nature and
especially how pretty the snow is -- but I'm afraid to mention
much about that white stuff right now -- I might be snowballed
right out of the picture. To sit and think of the advantages and
the beauty of it doesn't help much after having it around this
long. In other words -- it's nice now and then (and not too
much of it) but its s' now fun now when everyone is anxiously
waiting the spring time, but why worry -- March 22nd is the first
day of Spring so that takes care of that.

Isn't it something, though, how most of we folks are so
eager for something, but then when we get it, it isn't too long
until we're impatient with what we had longed for and already
eagerly looking forward to something else. That's one thing I
love about living where there are four seasons, for I love them all
and you can always be looking forward to something. I don't
think I'd appreciate living where the weather remains the same
constantly. -- And for not going to talk about the weather, I did
pretty good on the subject!

Want to send best wishes to John J. Holp of Route 1, Lewisbury,
Ohio, who had been in a train wreck and suffered back injuries. We
understand John is on the mend, which is something to be real happy
about.

Had a nice letter from Frank Svanda, 2414 Geneva St., Racine,
Wisconsin, and in it he tells of a sad experience, quote: 'Was
going to write about two months ago but was in no condition to
write anything fit to read after I found out what some young punks
had done to my pet, a 27 year old Case tractor. I was foolish
enough to leave it out on the farm for them to use. They filled it
with water and then left it to freeze so that's the end of my
pet, as I can't afford to pay somebody to keep a tractor for me
that they can't use for keeping. Repairs are out of the
question too, and I can't keep it here in town either.
Sometimes I read in the ALBUM about preserving the old machinery
for posterity here. There is not much chance of doing that. Most of
the young and some of the older people have only one interest in
things like that and that is to see how fast they can smash
everything for scrap.'

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This type of incident is sad to anyone who feels as most ALBUM
readers do towards old machinery, but I'm convinced it's
only a small percentage of folks who do feel destructive. With all
the mail I get (and it is increasing steadily) there is an ever
growing interest in this hobby.

Sad news from England tells us that J. H. Shackle of Millbrook
House, Castle Cary, Somerset, has passed through the door to the
great beyond. He had a fall and broke his hip bone and went into
the hospital and on Jan. 28 died of coronary thrombosis. He was 84
years, and an avid subscriber of the ALBUM which his daughter tells
us brought him much pleasure.

I get so many letters from folks who are bedfast or shut-ins --
I wish I could cheer them in some way for I'm sure they feel so
lonely at times and wish they could be on the outside again. I
found this poem which might add a thought -- called SHUT-IN by
Sarah M. Dunham.

Shut in, God knoweth why,
That days and weeks and months pass
by
And still shut in.

The busy rush of life goes on,
The new year comes, the old year's
gone
And still shut in.

Shut in, and there still comes a love
And peace and joy down from above
While thus shut in.

Flowers, fruits and books from friends
so true
And letters, papers bright and new,
For me, shut in.

Shut in, so may it be
Until the hour He'll say to me;
'It is enough! Go forth to serve
With all thy might.
In earthly ways or field of light,'
No more shut in.

Our best wishes to all the shut-ins and here's hoping it
won't be too long until they, too, can go forth again--.

Might suggest to you folks, the new letter paper is real nice,
containing five different makes of engines -- we're now working
on another set of five more engines. The labels make it convenient
for your letter writing -- they can also be used for many other
purposes.

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I think a lot of folks overlooked an item on the Jewelry ad
(page 14). We have a small tie clasp that would be wonderful for a
young child or growing boy -- it is the solid type tie clasp, made
exactly as the larger one, but it is a child's size. Bear it in
mind for Father's Day coming up -- lovely combination
Father-Son gift!

And for a laugh (I hope) -- 'Is this a healthful town?'
asked a stranger. --'It sure is,' replied the native,
'why, when I came here I couldn't utter a word, I had
scarcely a hair on my head, I didn't have the strength to walk
across the room, and I had to be lifted from bed.' -- 'Why,
that's wonderful!' exclaimed the stranger, 'How long
have you lived here?' -- 'I was born here, mister!'

And a tip -- I'm sure a lot of you women throw away the
maraschino cherry juice after using all the cherries -- don't
-- keep it and use in pie crust instead of water. It is delicious,
especially in the crust of an apple pie.

And now I think I've rambled on enough and will sign off
with a few choice sayings -- What your conscience says about you is
more important than what your neighbors say about you. --If you
have a good temper, keep it. If you have a bad temper, don't
lose it! -- A smile is a gentle curved line which sets
a lot of things straight. --One's true religion is the life he
lives, not the creed he professes.